Soccer: African goalkeeper killed by angry fans

COTONOU, BENIN - The teenage goalkeeper of Benin's Under-20 soccer team has died after being beaten up by unidentified attackers a day after the West African nation lost their first match at the African Youth Championship.

Samiou Yessoufou, 18, known to fans as Campos, died of his injuries after being attacked on Sunday in a nightclub in Benin's main city Cotonou, where the championships are being held.

Benin were beaten 3-0 by Nigeria on Saturday. The team are due to play the Ivory Coast in their second group game on Tuesday.

"I am saddened by the death of this young player who was bringing hope to his country," CAF president Issa Hayatou said on Tuesday in reaction to the incident.

Suleiman Habuba, director of communications for the Confederation of Federation (CAF) confirmed: "We received information from the local organising committee that the player died this morning after yesterday's attack."

Habuba, who was speaking by telephone from Benin, declined to give any further details but another CAF official said Yessoufou had been attacked in a night club in the capital.

He was accosted by angry supporters who kicked and beat him, blaming him for the defeat, the official told Reuters.

Yessoufou played in Benin at first division club Buffles de Borgou.

The African Youth Championship got underway on Saturday and will decide qualification for the World Youth Championship in the Netherlands later this year.

- REUTERS